2'-Fucosyllactose Production by Fermentation
2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) is a type of human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), which is a complex carbohydrate found in human breast milk. HMOs are non-digestible compounds that serve as prebiotics, stimulating the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the infant gut. 2'-FL is one of the most abundant HMOs in breast milk, which has potential health benefits and can be used as a dietary supplement.
What is 2'-Fucosyllactose?
2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) is a complex carbohydrate composed of a lactose molecule with a fucose sugar molecule attached at the 2' position. It is synthesized in the mammary gland and secreted in breast milk. 2'-FL is resistant to digestion by the infant and reaches the colon intact, where it serves as a substrate for beneficial gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium infantis. 2'-FL has been shown to have a variety of health benefits, including reducing the risk of infections, promoting immune system development, and improving cognitive function. 2'-FL is currently being added to infant formula to mimic the benefits of breast milk for formula-fed infants. 2'-FL has also shown promise as a dietary supplement for animals, improving gut health and reducing the risk of infections.
Due to its potential health benefits, there is increasing interest in the production of 2'-FL using fermentation methods. Fermentation is a process in which microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast are used to convert sugars into other compounds, and has been successfully used to produce a range of valuable compounds. A dependable and affordable source of 2'-FL could be made possible by the employment of fermentation techniques for its synthesis. It will be important to do additional research and development in this area to improve the procedure and scale up production for commercial uses.
Health Benefits of 2'-Fucosyllactose
- Reducing the risk of infections: 2'-FL has been shown to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal infections in infants.
- Promoting immune system development: 2'-FL stimulates the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which in turn produce short-chain fatty acids that promote the development of immune cells in the gut and throughout the body.
- Improving cognitive function: Studies have shown that infants fed with 2'-FL have improved cognitive development compared to those fed with formula lacking 2'-FL.
Fermentation Process for 2'-Fucosyllactose Production
The production of 2'-FL by fermentation involves several steps, including strain selection, media development, fermentation optimization, and downstream processing. Strain selection is served to identify a suitable microorganism that is capable of producing 2'-FL. Bifidobacterium infantis, a common gut bacterium, has been shown to produce 2'-FL in vitro.
- Media development
To design a growth medium that provides the necessary nutrients for the microorganism to grow and produce 2'-FL. The growth medium typically contains a carbon source such as lactose, as well as nitrogen sources, minerals, and vitamins. The pH and temperature of the growth medium also need to be optimized to maximize 2'-FL production.
The control of fermentation conditions includes optimizing the concentration of the growth medium, the pH, temperature, and aeration rate. The fermentation process typically takes several days to complete, and 2'-FL production is monitored throughout the process using analytical methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
- Downstream processing
To purify the 2'-FL from the fermentation broth. This typically involves a series of separation and purification steps, including filtration, centrifugation, and chromatography. The purified 2'-FL can then be dried and packaged.
